University of Vermont Extension
Department of Plant and Soil Science

Fall News
Article

BLACK PLANTS FOR GREEN THUMBS

Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor
University of Vermont

In our northern winters, when the outdoor landscape is generally black
and white, it is a good time to think about incorporating black plants
into this next year's garden. What I'm referring to are of course
live plants, not those black from death! Rather than thinking of death
and funerals, think of sexy and elegant.

Black plants can be used for dramatic effect, not just in contrast to
white flowers, but with most colors including pastels and metallics.
Black can be the main color, or mixed in a border to contrast with other
colors. Low black plants in mass as a groundcover provide a perfect
backdrop to contrast other colors.

When choosing plants, some you may find on "black" lists have dark purple
or dark red flowers or foliage instead of pure black. Plant color
may also change, depending on location. The black color in leaves
is the result of pigments. In low light, a black plant needs more
of the green pigment, or chlorophyll, to make energy, so leaves may be
much more green or coppery than black.

For spring, you might use the tulip Queen of the Night. Introduced
the middle of the last century, it still remains popular and hasn't been
surpassed for its near-black color. Once it is through, you might
plant annual groundcovers of Blackie sweet potato or black Nigrescens mondo
grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus). Pansies you might try for
early spring black include Black Prince, Black Moon, or Bowles Black.

You might plant a perennial groundcover of a dark-leaved bugleweed (Ajuga
reptans), through which daffodils might emerge each spring for a wonderful
contrast of colors. Just use caution, as bugleweed can spread rampantly!
Although the species and some cultivars (cultivated varieties) are green,
there are several with dark red or purplish leaves including Bronze Beauty,
Burgundy Glow, and Catlin's Giant.

Annual flowers you might consider for summer include the small plant,
and 5-lobed flowers, of Pennie Black (Nemophila). This one
with its deep purple flowers, edged in white, is different from most its
"Five Spot" relatives which are generally blue with 5 spots. Snapdragon
Black Prince has dark red flowers and near black leaves. A couple of black
cornflowers (Centaurea cyanus) you may find are Black Boy or Black
Ball. Chocolate cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus) is grown more
for its dark maroon flowers than faint scent. One of my favorite sunflowers
has dark red, almost black flowers (Moulin Rouge).

Among the annuals grown for their dark foliage are several cultivars
of coleus. Othello is one, with ruffled edges, as is Black Lace.
Dark Star and Apocalypse are other choices. As a contrast use the
recent annual millet, an All-America Selections winner, Purple Majesty
for its dark leaves. This could provide a coarse texture next to
the fine texture of the herb Bronze Fennel. Another herb with dark
leaves, quite fragrant, and excellent for cooking, is the Purple Ruffles
Basil with its near black leaves.

There are many exotic or tender perennials, sometimes even tropical,
to consider. Blackie sweetpotato was mentioned above. Rubrum
fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum ) provides a finer grass texture
than the Purple Majesty millet. There is a dark cabbage palm (Cordyline),
and several chocolate to dark New Zealand flax (Phormium) for a
spiked effect.

For hardy perennials, for dark foliage, consider the zone 5 hardy Chocolate
hemp agrimony (Eupatorium), several of the coralbells (Heuchera)
such as Obsidian or Chocolate Veil, and sedum such as Atropurpureum and
Vera Jameson. Dragonís Blood really does sound dark (and gothic),
and is one of several of the low sedum to consider. Espresso is a hardy
perennial geranium with dark chocolate or "espresso" leaves.

For more ideas on using black plants, and choices, including vegetables,
vines, shrubs, and trees, visit the International Black Plant Society online.
Author Karen Platt, on this website and in her book "Black Magic and Purple
Passion", has some great suggestions for such plants and gardens.